POLITICS
INEC Explains use of New Registration Device for CVR
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it adopted the use of Voter Enrolment Device (VED) for resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to deepen the use of technology in electoral process.
Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He announced that the VED which was based on android tablet would arrive in the country on May 31, for the CVR to resume on June 28.
Okoye said the commission had retired the Direct Data Capture Machine (DDCM) used during the previous registration, and in its place would be an enrolment device.
He said that the VEDs would offer a lot of benefits including a very good facial detection and fingerprint live detection.
The national commissioner listed VEDs benefits to include compact and easy mobility, as well as “meeting the requirements of the National Digital Identity Ecosystem.
“The VED is different from DDC machines, because the main component of the DDCM, which is the laptop computer, is being replaced with a tablet computer.
“The device is more compact than the DDCM. It is a new generation device because the components are of better and newer technologies than the DDCM.
“As the time for the roll-out approaches, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will update the nation on the modalities for the roll-out and the number of centres available to Nigerians.’’
Okoye said that in compliance with section 10(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), INEC would adopt a hybrid method involving both in person registration and online.
“Nigerians who are not computer literate or who live in rural areas can start and finish their registration at any of the designated registration centres.
“Those with computers, tablets or smart phones can start their registration online and complete their biometrics at any of the designated centres.
“The online portal will have a registration area and polling unit locator that will assist registrants locate the registration area and polling unit nearest to them,’’ he said.
Okoye said that Yakubu would update Nigerians on the number of Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements converted to stand alone and full-fledged polling units, and the total number of polling units in Nigeria.
“INEC has broken a 25-year-old jinx relating to the expansion of voter access to polling units, and Nigerians will have at their disposal new polling units.
“The polling units will enable persons with disability, pregnant women and the elderly to access the units with less stress.
“Such polling units will be easily accessible and user-friendly. It will make for physical distancing and will enable our ad hoc staff to carry out their constitutional and legal duties comfortably,’’ he said.
Okoye said that the voter registration was at the heart of the democratic process, as it would enable Nigerians who had attained the constitutional age for registration to register and exercise their democratic franchise.
“Therefore, Nigerians that meet the constitutional and legal threshold for registration will have the opportunity to register,’’ Okoye said.
He said that Yakubu, at his April 1, news conference, noted that the CRV was open to all Nigerians who were 18 years of age and have never been registered to vote.
The official said that the registration would also be opened to any registered voter, who had any issue during accreditation at previous elections, so that the agency could rectify such problems.
“All registered voters who wish to transfer their voting locations from the present one to another; all registered voters who have lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or whose PVCs have been defaced or damaged.
“Also to all registered voters, who wish to correct their information such as misspellings of names, dates of birth etc,’’ he said. (NAN)
POLITICS
PANDEF Tables 3 Demands Before Tinubu
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has tabled three demands before President Bola Tinubu, including a call for urgent assent to the South-South Development Commission bill.
The Forum wants the three issues to be addressed by the Tinubu administration in 2025. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows lgali, the Forum wants Tinubu to address the persistent issue of environmental degradation, the deplorable state of federal roads in the region, and the under-representation of persons from the region in the management cadre of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Igali added that the federal government should announce the definite and measurable policies, programmes and steps it plans to take in the comprehensive clean- up of the polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.They demanded an immediate declaration of a state of emergency on the deplorable state of federal highways in the region and the under- representation of qualified sons and daughters of the region in top management positions in the NNPCL.Part of the statement reads: “Nevertheless, we also take pride in the significant strides made toward progress, largely due to the tireless efforts of our leaders, elder statesmen and grassroots organizations, who continue to make deep personal sacrifices for the progress of our region.“As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability. “However, it is essential that we do not rest on our oars because in spite of progress made, there remains much work to be done to bring the quality of life of the average Niger Deltan in line with the level of natural resources we are blessed with.“Our region, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices and it is now time for us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy and good governance get to every corner of our region.“It is PANDEF’s top agenda to work tirelessly with our stakeholders to elevate the standard of living of our people, especially in our rural areas, most of which bear the brunt of disastrous environmental consequences of oil and gas extraction activities in the region.“It is noteworthy that beyond oil and gas, we are fortunate to be blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and ideal climatic conditions conducive to large-scale agricultural production.“Additionally, our extensive coast and shorelines present immense potentials to underpin a globally competitive blue-economy industry covering areas such as fisheries, silicon from river sand, sea salt industries, mining of rare coral deposits, mangrove roots for water desalination, water-based mud for drilling operations, miles of sandy waterfront for tourism, beaches, marine sports and coastal transportation, to mention a few.The group said to realize these lofty goals would require the collective efforts of all stakeholders up and down the leadership chain, with a very effective cross-sector collaboration from the National Assembly members to the state governors and the local governments, including the intervention agencies.
POLITICS
Stop Denigrating Atiku, Support Group Tells Kwankwaso
The Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA) has urged Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 President Candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) to stop attacking the reputation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Director of Communications of NYFA (Nigeria & Diaspora), Mr Dare Dada, made the call in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Dada spoke against the background of a recent media interview granted by Kwankwaso, in which he accused Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of peddling lies at 80 years of age.
Kwankwaso,in the interview,had claimed that Abubakar’s camp had falsely told some Northern elders that the ex-VP had reached an agreement with him and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, to take turns at the presidency from 2027.
Dada , who described the claim as untrue, said that the former vice president was not a problem to Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.
“It is so sad that someone of Kwankwanso calibre will make frantic efforts to denigrate the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, just to score some cheap political points.
“The former Vice- President needs no validation from him to be relevant politically as far as the Nigerian political space is concerned.
“Engaging in such level of falsehood just to make a point is not only ridiculous but demeaning,” Dada said.
He said that such attacks on opposition figures were not good at this time when opposition leaders were supposed to be strategising on an alliance to give Nigerians a better deal in 2027.
Dada said that opposition leaders must shun divisive tendencies and rhetorics, capable of undermining the unity and progress needed in the nation.
The youth leader urged Kwankwaso to rather dissipate energy on issues confronting the Northern Nigeria and speak up.
He added: “The youth of this nation are determined to stand for integrity and ensure that politics of deceit and manipulation are relegated to the past.
“It is our collective belief that politics of honesty and integrity will always triumph over self-serving lies.
“The NYFA remains committed to supporting visionary leaders like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who prioritise national development and the well-being of all Nigerians over personal ambition.” (NAN)
POLITICS
Kalu hails Nwifuru for Endorsing ‘political Son’ as Ebonyi APC Chairman
A former Governor of Abia, Sen. Orji Kalu, has expressed appreciation to Gov.
Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi for endorsing the second term in office of Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha as Chairman of (APC) in the state.Kalu stated this on Thursday at Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi during his New Year visit to Okoro-Emegha whom he described as his political son.
“The endorsement is a good development, as Okoro-Emegha is a hardworking person.
“I did not make the endorsement but the governor, who is working with Okoro-Emegha, did,” Kalu, who is representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said.
He said that his visit to the APC chairman was an annual event, which showed the level of affinity between them.
“I promised him that as long as God gives me the life, I will be visiting him every new year,” Kalu said.
Okoro-Emegha, in his response, thanked the former governor for the visit, stating that the bond between them would continue to wax stronger.
“I cannot assess myself, while the governor could not have endorsed me if the press, party faithful and the entire citizens didn’t assess me rightly.
“APC has never had it so good because there is no problem within it,” he said.
The party chairman said that he would not relent in his efforts at ensuring that all the political gladiators in the opposition joined APC.
“I will be visiting the members representing Ohaoazara/Onicha/Ivo and Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives.
“I will urge them to join APC and let them know the benefits for all us being under one roof.
“They have roles to play in complementing the governor’s efforts to uplift the state,” he said.
Okoro-Emegha urged the people of the state to continue supporting the governor and hope for a better 2025.
“2024 was tough but we will reap all we have sown in 2025. We should know that one person cannot run a government; he needs our collective efforts,” he said.
Daily Asset recalls that Okoro-Emegha was Kalu’s aide when he was governor of Abia from 1999 to 2007. (NAN)